The Guardian reports that a new Amy Winehouse biopic is on the way. Amy Winehouse’s family has reportedly signed a deal to make a biopic about the late singer taken far too young. Monumental Pictures’ Alison Owen (Lily Allen’s mother) and Debra Hayward will produce the film, with Winehouse’s parents serving as the film’s executive producers. Amy’s life story will be written by Geoff Deane, and shooting for the biopic is due to start in 2019. Proceeds from the film will benefit the Amy Winehouse Foundation.
Mitch Winehouse, Amy’s father, said the family had previously been approached regarding a biopic but previously felt the time was still not right. In a statement, Mitch Winehouse said, “We now feel able to celebrate Amy’s extraordinary life and talent. And we know through the Amy Winehouse Foundation that the true story of her illness can help so many others who might be experiencing similar issues.”
On July 27th, 2011, London Ambulance Service was called to rising-star singer Amy Winehouse‘s Camden flat. Unfortunately, the medics were too late—Winehouse was found dead, having succumbed to her arduous battle with drug and alcohol abuse at just 27 years old. Though she released only two albums before her death—2003’s Frank and 2006’s Back To Black–her work on the two releases catapulted her to worldwide success and recognition. Back To Black netted the singer five Grammys (including Best New Artist, Record of the Year, and Song of the Year) in 2008, tying the record for most wins by any female artist in a single year at that time.
Winehouse’s tragically brief career was defined as much by her remarkable talent as it was by her struggles to keep her life together offstage. From an early age, she dealt with a litany of health issues, from drug addiction to alcohol abuse to eating disorders. These problems were only intensified as she saw her popularity and notoriety increase. As Winehouse explained to The Telegraph in her last interview before her death, “I’m not a natural born performer. I’m a natural singer, but I’m quite shy, really…You know what it’s like? I don’t mean to be sentimental or soppy but its a little bit like being in love, when you can’t eat, you’re restless, it’s like that. But then the minute you go on stage, everything’s OK. The minute you start singing.”
[H/T The Guardian]